Why do some kids bounce back after setbacks while others seem to struggle? The answer lies in resilience—a child’s ability to adapt and grow stronger in the face of adversity.

In psychology, resilience is often defined as the ability to adapt well during stress, trauma, or hardship. And in today’s world, nurturing resilience in kids is more critical than ever.

The 7 Cs of Resilience

Developed by pediatrician and resilience expert Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, the 7 Cs are key building blocks that help children develop the strength they need to navigate life’s ups and downs. Here’s how you can support each one:

#1: Competence

Developing competence builds the foundation for resilience. When children recognize their strengths and abilities, they begin to see themselves as capable of handling whatever life throws at them.

You can help your child feel competent by nurturing their unique talents, praising effort over outcome, and giving them space to try—and sometimes fail—on their own. These experiences boost self-esteem and encourage them to step outside their comfort zone, growing new skills in the process.

#2: Confidence

Confidence empowers kids to explore new challenges and bounce back from failure. It gives them the belief that they can face hard things and keep going.

Support confidence by giving children opportunities to try age-appropriate tasks on their own. Celebrate effort, not just results, and remind them that mistakes are a natural part of learning. Confidence is essential to building long-term resilience.

#3: Connection

Connection is one of the most powerful protective factors when building resilience. Feeling supported gives children the emotional anchor they need to face tough times.

Help kids develop a sense of belonging by connecting them with peers and mentors through clubs, sports, youth groups, or school activities. A child who feels seen, loved, and accepted is more likely to weather emotional storms with strength.

#4: Coping

Healthy coping skills help kids manage stress, solve problems, and regulate emotions—all critical components of resilience.

You can support coping by modeling calm responses to stress, teaching kids healthy tools like deep breathing, journaling, or movement, and giving them chances to practice. When children have access to these tools, they’re better prepared to face life’s inevitable challenges.

#5: Control

Kids who believe they have some control over their lives are more likely to engage, make decisions, and take ownership of their outcomes. This sense of agency is a major contributor to resilience.

Give your child choices and involve them in decisions where appropriate. Creating opportunities for kids to problem-solve and make meaningful decisions builds critical thinking skills and increases their sense of capability.

#6: Character

Character is shaped by knowing what you stand for and choosing to act in alignment with your values. It’s the moral compass that helps kids stay grounded, even in tough situations.

You can help your child build character by talking about your family’s values, recognizing acts of kindness and integrity, and emphasizing empathy. Kids with strong character are better able to make decisions that reflect who they want to be—even under pressure.

#7: Contribution

When kids feel that they matter and can make a difference, they’re more likely to believe they have a place in the world. This belief reinforces confidence, connection, and a resilient mindset.

Encourage contribution through volunteering, helping others, or simple acts of kindness. When we thank kids for their efforts and highlight the good they bring to others, we show them they’re not just recipients of care—they’re capable of giving it, too.

Building Resilience—One Day at a Time

Resilience isn’t something kids are born with—it’s something we build together, through daily actions, encouragement, and trust. By focusing on the 7 Cs, we create the conditions where children not only bounce back—but soar.

Need Support?

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) provides a wide range of mental health care to build resilience in kids and families. Contact us online to get involved today.

Want More?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

For some, the topic of childhood trauma is still taboo. If we told you experiences growing up could impact your long-term health, would you believe us?

Understanding the Long-Term Impact of Childhood Trauma

For those of us working in human services, the idea that trauma can affect your mental and physical health is nothing new. But for those outside the field, it may sound unfamiliar—or even far-fetched.

The ACE Study: Groundbreaking Research That Changed Everything

In the mid to late ’90s, the link between childhood trauma and adult health came into the spotlight. In collaboration with the CDC, Kaiser Permanente conducted a study with over 17,000 participants that shook the medical and mental health communities.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study revealed a clear, powerful connection between early trauma and lifelong health outcomes—ranging from obesity and cancer to addiction and early death.

What Are ACEs?

The study identified six main categories of adverse experiences:

1. Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect
2. Witnessing violence in the home or community
3. Having a family member attempt or die by suicide
4. Substance misuse in the household
5. Mental health challenges in the household
6. Family instability due to separation, divorce, or incarceration

Each experience counts as one point toward an ACE score. The more points someone has, the higher their risk for serious health issues later in life.

More than 60% of people report at least one ACE.

Curious about your ACE score? Take the quiz.

Can Trauma Really Make You Physically Sick?

Yes—research shows that the body remembers. Chronic stress in childhood can alter brain development, hormone levels, immune response, and more. Over time, these changes increase the risk for a wide range of physical and mental health conditions.

But Trauma Doesn’t Define You

Here’s what’s important: trauma may increase risk, but it doesn’t guarantee poor outcomes. Protective factors can dramatically change the trajectory of a child’s life.

These include:

• A child’s individual strengths and unique personality traits
• Supportive family and community networks
• Safe environments
• And most of all—at least one caring adult

How You Can Be a Protective Factor

Our time with children is critical. Your steady presence matters whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or mentor. Watching a movie, making dinner together, or simply showing up can be healing.

If you work in the helping field, your impact is real. You’re building stronger families and creating a safety net for vulnerable youth—shielding them from the weight of trauma.

Want to Help? You’re Needed More Than Ever

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, this is your sign. We’re always looking for caring adults to become mentors, foster parents, mental health workers, and more.

Visit our foster care or career pages to learn how you can make a difference.

Need Help for a Child in Your Life?

Trauma doesn’t always show up in obvious ways—it can hide in behavior, anxiety, sleep problems, or even physical illness. But there is help.

Each year, we deliver mental health care to thousands of children and families through our locations across Montana. If a child in your life needs support, contact us online today.

Want More?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

“There are no shortcuts to excellence. Developing real expertise, figuring out really hard problems—it all takes time—longer than most people imagine. Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it. It’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love—staying in love.” – Angela Duckworth

What if doing well in school and life depends on much more than just our ability to learn quickly and easily?

Well, that’s just what Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., found in her groundbreaking research on grit over a decade ago! She studied everyone from grade school students to West Point Military Academy cadets—even partnering with private companies to explore who stayed and excelled in challenging roles such as sales.

Her work found that the most significant factor for success across settings wasn’t IQ, physical health, social intelligence, or good looks. It was grit!

In one study done with Chicago public school students, Angela found that kids scoring high on a grit scale questionnaire were significantly more likely to graduate—even when matched against characteristics like:

• Family income
• Standardized achievement test scores
• And even how safe kids feel when they are at school

Angela’s Ted Talk, featured at the beginning of this article, was filmed in 2013. Today, we know much more about grit and how to foster it in kids, adults, organizations, and communities.

How gritty are you?

Click here to find out! And to learn more about grit and how to grow it in yourself and others, check out Angela Duckworth’s book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.

Want more?

Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Do you have experience navigating stress? I bet your answer’s yes. I mean, who doesn’t? It’s unavoidable in today’s world. But there are things we can do to mitigate it.

Below are thirteen quotes on the journey through stress and how to traverse it successfully.

13 Quotes on Navigating Stress

Quote 1: I am so emotionally drained. I can feel myself shutting down. – Unknown

Quote 2: I will simply breathe, and it will be okay because I don’t quit. – Unknown

Quote 3: Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is rather than as you think it should be. – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Quote 4: Stress acts as an accelerator: it will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction. – Chelsea Erieau

Quote 5: Stress is not what happens to us. It is our response to what happens. And response is something we can choose. – Maureen Killoran

Quote 6: The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another. – William James

Quote 7: It’s not stress that kills us. It’s our reaction to it. – Hans Selye

Quote 8: It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it. – Lou Holtz

Quote 9: Stress is the inability to decide what’s important. – Unknown

Quote 10: You can do anything—but not everything. – David Allen

Quote 11: The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities. – Stephen Covey

Quote 12: In stressful times, it’s okay to not be perfect. It’s okay to cut yourself some slack. Because right now, you might not be your best self. But you are growing, and you are trying your best, and that is good enough. – Ashley Hetherington

Quote 13: I will breathe. I will think of solutions. I will not let my worry control me. I will not stress myself out about things I can’t control or change. – Shayne McClendon

Want More?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Did you know that two-thirds of kids experience trauma during childhood? It’s a staggering number. Right?

Here are a few ways that trauma can affect children’s overall well-being:

The impact of trauma can range widely, depending on many different factors, including a child’s relationships with caring adults, social supports, and unique personal characteristics.

And often, childhood trauma can even influence children’s ability to form healthy, trusting bonds with caregivers.

Here are a few tips to help you build the trust you need to guide kids with trauma history and help them heal.

Provide structure

Create a routine and ensure that your child understands rules and expectations clearly. Doing so will create a sense of safety and help them thrive.

Use positive discipline

Punitive, physical, or inconsistent discipline can be a trigger for kids with a history of trauma and be counterproductive to your ability to guide them.

Here are some positive discipline methods you can leverage:

• Ignore mild misbehavior
• Praise good behavior
• Frame things as incentives versus pointing out negative consequences
• Redirect attention
• Offer choices
• Provide rewards
• Use time in vs. time outs

Be consistent & show warmth

Trust in any relationship is built on consistent positive interactions. Show warmth towards your child, even during conflict and discipline. And if you slip up, make sure to repair the situation with an apology and good communication.

Be sensitive to trauma

Be mindful of a child’s background and avoid putting them in a position where they feel cornered or threatened. For example, if children have a history of sexual trauma, be mindful of their physical boundaries and unexpected touch.

Need support?

We provide a wide range of wraparound mental health services that help kids and families heal. Contact us online to get a child help today.

Did you find this article helpful?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Do you know the signs of depression in kids? They’re easy to miss. Yet, when overlooked, the outcome can be tragic.

Data shows that suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth, and a significant portion of those who pass are confronting the condition.

Below are eight indicators of childhood depression that every parent needs to be familiar with.

Signs of Depression in Kids

Deep & Persistent Sadness

Children with depression experience sadness that persists for two or more weeks. And it can be profound! They may have thoughts of suicide or talk about hurting themselves.

Learn more: 9 Warning Signs of Teen Suicide Parents Need to Know

Problems at School

Have you recently noticed a decline in your child’s school performance? Kids confronting depression often have a hard time concentrating, making decisions, and can be quicker to anger or emotional outbursts.

Be on the watch for a sudden drop in grades, school refusal, and new behavioral issues cropping up.

Changes in Weight or Eating Habits

Has your child recently lost or gained weight? Significant fluctuations in body size or sudden changes in eating habits may signify depression.

A Shift in Sleep Patterns

Have you noticed a change in your child’s sleep patterns? Maybe they’re struggling to fall asleep, waking in the middle of the night, or even sleeping far more than usual?

Depression can impact kids’ rest and wake cycles. So, pay attention to sudden shifts in your child’s sleep routine. It may be a sign that something more is going on.

Changes in Mood & Behavior

Does it feel like your child’s demeanor changed overnight? Take notice if they’ve suddenly developed a more negative attitude or are expressing feelings of hopelessness, guilt, or worthlessness. And if they seem more agitated, irritable, or are quicker to get upset, it could also be a sign of depression.

Decrease in Self-Esteem

Does your once confident kid now seem to need frequent reassurance? A marked decrease in self-esteem is frequently an indicator of depression. Children with the condition tend to think negatively and very critically about themselves.

Withdrawal

Kids experiencing depression will frequently withdraw socially from friends and family. So, pay attention if your child no longer wants to participate in activities they once enjoyed.

Physical Pain

Depression is more than emotional pain—symptoms can frequently manifest physically. So look out for persistent fatigue, frequent headaches, stomach aches, or any other sudden unexplained discomfort. And remember, it’s essential to rule out underlying medical conditions with a doctor.

We’re Here to Help!

Do any of the signs and symptoms above sound familiar? Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) provides a wide range of wraparound mental health services designed to help kids heal. Contact us online to get a child support today.

Want More?

Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.